He’s an egg who carries around three other eggs and likes to hang out in the onsen. (Not sure why the website lists his gender as male, but I don’t know what I expected, really.)

On the schedule for the bus to Wakura Onsen. YOU’RE LOSING YOUR BUDDIES.

Wakutama-kun will show you how to bathe at an onsen!

How to bathe properly at an onsen

The Noto Line (能登鉄道) from Anamizu (穴水) to Nanao (七尾) and sometimes even as far as Komatsu (小松) has a few trains decorated with mascots and characters. One is decorated with characters from Hana Saku Iroha (花咲くいろは); one is the alien mascot from Hakui, famous for UFOs; and another is Wakutama-kun. That was my favorite, and I always was excited when I got that particular train.

Noto Tetsudo Wakutama-kun

So cute! I’m sad Wakutama-kun hasn’t won the Mascot Grand Prix yet, but maybe someday his cuteness will be appreciated. What’s your favorite local mascot?